When four-star cornerback Chris Ewald was extended an offer from Tennessee Football, he did not think very highly of the Vols. The Michigan Wolverines commitment has a different outlook on Tennessee after his first trip to Knoxville.
Ewald, who ranks as the No. 79 prospect nationally and the No. 11 cornerback in the 2025 class by 247Sports Composite, was in Knoxville last week while camping with the Vols. The visit opened his eyes to what Tennessee Football can offer him.
“When I first got the offer from Tennessee, they weren’t too high,” Ewald said. “But after the visit, they’re up there, up there. Now that I’ve actually visited the school.
“Me actually getting to have the conversation with the head coach and coach Nez. I also got to meet some of the players, some of the new and old players.”
Ewald spent a lot of his visit interacting with defensive backs coach Willie Martinez. He also got to talk to some current players.
“They were just telling me good things and what they working on and stuff like that,” Ewald said. “They were telling me like how the coaches coach. They were also giving me a few pointers on a game, I feel like we built a great relationship during my time up there.”
Ewald also got to talk to head coach Josh Heupel, who told the players at the camp that last year wasn’t a fluke.
“He was just telling us they’re here to stay and that it wasn’t just a one-year thing.” Ewald said. “They’re going to keep progressing.”
Ewald has been committed to Michigan since December 2022. He has stayed loyal to his commitment, but acknowledged he still has his eyes open.
“It was a couple of things that played into it, like the type of person I am,” he said. “I’m young still so anybody still has a chance.”
After his most recent trip to Tennessee, the Vols have elevated themselves to a school that has caught the elite cornerback’s attention. Ewald expects to be back in Knoxville this fall to take in a game, looking forward to the atmosphere and “the traditions they have on game day.”
“It was better than what I thought it was,” Ewald said. “It was very up-to-date, very surprising. I really enjoyed my time while I was up there.”
